Second-Half Strikes from Chicago Enough to Claim Full Three Points in Bridgeview;
Royals FC Returns to Sandy to Face Laura Harvey’s Former Seattle Reign FC Side for the First Time in Club History on Wednesday, June 27
BRIDGEVIEW, IL (Saturday, June 23, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (4-3-5, 17 points) fell 2-0 to the Chicago Red Stars at Toyota Park on Saturday evening, closing out a four-match road stretch.
After a back-and-forth first half of play, the match exploded offensively as Red Stars defender Kathleen Naughton notched a headed goal in the second-half for the matches opening strike in the 62nd minute. In the 70th minute, Chicago doubled its advantage as Vanessa Dibernardo sent a rocket of a shot past GK Abby Smith.
MF Katrina Gorry and FW Amy Rodriguez found themselves with multiple scoring opportunities in the second half but were unable to capitalize. URFC ended the night with 11 total shots.
UP NEXT: After a four-game road trip, URFC returns to Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday, June 27 to take on Seattle Reign FC. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
CHI:Kathleen Naughton, 62nd minute – Red Stars defender Danielle Colaprico sent in a long-range set piece into the box that met the head of streaking defender Naughton, who flicked it over GK Abby Smith for the game’s opening goal.
CHI:Vanessa DiBernardo, 70th minute – Red Stars goalkeeper Sam Kerr beat her player to the end line where she cut it back and found the waiting foot of Dibernardo on top of the box. Dibernardo took one touch towards the goal and shot to the far-post, side netting.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS
UTA: Abby Smith, 1st minute – Red Stars midfielder Alyssa Mautz found the ball on top of the box and took a left footed shot before it was snagged by URFC goalkeeper Abby Smith.
CHI: Alyssa Naeher, 12th minute – Royals FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn crossed a ball into the box that met the head of Katrina Gorry inside of the sixth, but Naeher saved the attempt in the center of the goal.
NOTES
-URFC has three players that have played every single minute this season – the most of any other team in the NWSL. Included are MF Desiree Scott, MF Gunny Jonsdottir, and DF Rachel Corsie.
-Today’s goal was the first time URFC has ever conceded a header goal
Match: Utah Royals FC vs Chicago Red Stars
Date: June 23, 2018
Venue: Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL
Attendance: 3,317
Weather: Overcast, 71 degrees
Scoring Summary:1 2 F
Utah Royals FC 0 0 0
Chicago Red Stars 0 2 2
CHI: Naughton, 62’
CHI: Dibernardo, 70’
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Abby Smith, Katie Bowen, Rachel Corsie, Becky Sauerbrunn, Desiree Scott, Gunny Jonsdottir, Katrina Gorry, Diana Matheson (Lo’eau LaBonta, 76’), Brittany Ratcliffe (Katie Stengel, 70’), Amy Rodriguez (Elise Thorsnes, 82’)
Substitutes not used: Nicole Barnhart, Taylor Lytle, Erika Tymrak, Sydney Miramontez,
CHI (4-4-2): Alyssa Naeher, Casey Short (Sarah Gorden, 46’), Katie Naughton, Arin Gilliland, Danielle Colaprico, Julie Ertz, Nikki Stanton, Yuki Nagasato, Alyssa Mautz, Michele Vasconcelos (Vanessa DiBernardo, 66’), Sam Kerr
Subs not used: Morgan Brian, Summer Green, Emily Boyd, Rosie White, Brooke Elby
Stats Summary: UTA / CHI
Shots: 11 / 16
Shots on Goal: 3 / 6
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 1 / 2
Fouls: 11 / 7
Offside: 1 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CHI: Yuki Nagasato, 87’ (caution)
OFFICIALS
Center: Natalie Simon
First Assistant: Maggie Short
Second Official: Jeffrey Swartzel
Fourth: Adam Behrens
